COVID-19: THE LATEST
For all the latest news and updates, visit our Covid-19 hub.
The Department of Health and Social Care has launched a toolkit for employers to help ensure employees get reliable information about COVID-19 vaccines.
Access the toolkit to get materials for you to run internal awareness campaigns, including key messages, posters, fact sheets and videos providing accurate, up-to-date information.
EU TRADE
If you are a UK business which trades with Europe, keep track of the latest changes and developments via FSB's transition hub.
NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES
FSB net zero report
We launched our report on small businesses and net zero, Accelerating Progress, earlier this week, at our Small Business Net Zero Conference, which had over a thousand attendees. With the COP26 conference in Glasgow ongoing, our report brings together a cohesive set of recommendations which, if acted upon by governments across the UK, would greatly help smaller firms to become more sustainable. FSB National Chair Mike Cherry said: “This moment must be a catalyst for governments to remove the barriers that are holding small businesses back. If we are to successfully transition to net zero, it’ll be through grassroots action, enabled by smart and supportive policies.”
Disability and wellbeing at work survey
There’s still time for FSB members to respond to our survey on wellbeing and disability at work, including your views on hybrid working. Let us know your thoughts here.
Firework safety
The Health and Safety Executive has guidance on how to store and sell fireworks, with some rules and procedures having changed since the UK’s departure from the EU.
Loss carry back rules extension
HMRC has issued a policy paper on Extended Loss Carry Back for Businesses, to clarify the temporary extension to the loss carry back rules for trading losses of both corporate and unincorporated businesses, introduced in the Finance Act 2021.
Basis period reform consultation response
HMRC has responded to the recent consultation on basis period reform, looking at “how to implement a simplification of the way trading profits of businesses are allocated to tax years under Income Tax Self Assessment”. The transition to the new rules has been delayed for a year, “meaning the transition to the new rules will take place in 2023 to 2024 and the new rules will come into force on 6 April 2024”, HMRC said.
Excise goods warehousing guidance
HMRC has produced new guidance to explain the UK’s requirements for the warehousing of excise goods held in duty-suspension within the UK.
Post-Brexit border report
The National Audit Office has published a new value for money report, The UK border: Post UK–EU transition period, which “[draws] together information on the impact of the new arrangements and on future risks which the government must manage”, and which refers several times to FSB’s research on small exporters’ experiences.
Exporting advice videos
HMRC has added videos about making a delayed import supplementary declaration using Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) and making a delayed import supplementary declaration using the Customs Declaration Service to its guidance page offering help and support for UK transition.
International Trade Week webinar
With International Trade Week (15-19 November) fast approaching, registration for FSB’s free webinar - Navigating global trade: Unlocking your international potential – on 17 November is open. An expert panel will answer your questions on how to get started in international trade – don’t miss out.
Importers’ views sought
Do you import goods from the EU? The Government is looking to understand how you and your business have been getting ready for the introduction of full customs controls on 1 January 2022. Your responses will help Government prepare businesses for the coming changes. Complete the 5-minute survey here.
Restaurant and bar event
Restaurant & Bar Tech Live is back: On 9-10 November, London’s ExCeL will host the event for the technologies driving the profits of restaurants and bars. FSB will be there so register for your free ticket and visit us on stand D24.
Profile opportunity
The Times is looking for companies to profile as part of its “Rising Stars” series. If you are a privately-owned business (outside London) with over £1 million in sales last year, and with strong growth to showcase, get in touch.
Steel industry report
The BEIS Committee of MPs has released a report on the UK’s steel industry, calling on the Government to “establish a new Steel Sector Deal to address long-running challenges to the industry’s competitiveness, including those from high energy prices and barriers to supplying steel for major public projects, as part of a strategic plan for decarbonising the industry and protecting jobs”.
Will you need to register for the plastic tax?
The Plastic Packaging Tax is coming into force on 1 April 2022, and will apply to businesses which manufacture or import 10 tonnes or more of plastic packaging over a 12 month period. Find out if you will need to register via a new HMRC guidance page.
Free advertising for green SMEs
The Times is offering shares of a £1 million free advertising fund for sustainability SMEs and charities. Five selected winners will receive £200,000 worth of ad space across the Times’s network, and is open to small firms with 25 or fewer employees, and annual turnover under £5 million. Apply here.
Drone regulation paper
The Regulatory Horizons Council has issued a report on how drones could be regulated in order to “unlock the benefits of drones and support [their] wider commercial deployment”.
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